We call it BitScope Hammerhead: a universal I/O adapter for BitScope Micro.

In addition to the two BNC connectors, MP01 includes a 16-pin socket and a pair of terminators for connection to all the BitScope Micro inputs and outputs. It plugs into BitScope Micro's Diagnostic Port (via an IDC-10 on the back) so the signals and features of the diagnostic port remain available when accessed via MP01.

Use Standard Oscilloscope Probes with BitScope Micro!

Passive probes that have 1:1, 10:1, 100:1 or other attenuation ratios can be used. It also supports active differential probes, current probes and most other types of probe which are BNC terminated and designed for use with standard scope inputs.

This is possible because despite its tiny size and appearance, BitScope Micro has electrically compatible analog inputs with 1MΩ/20pF impedance so compensation circuits in standard probes will work the same with BitScope Micro and MP01.

If you need to connect only one probe or you want an in-line solution we recommend Tom Thumb (MP02) instead.

Coaxial Cables and BNC Connections

MP01 is not just for oscilloscope probes. It also allows the use use BNC terminated cables for connection with other equipment that uses this common standard.

This makes MP01 ideal for data acquistion and related applications where RG-58 cabling with BNC termination is commonly used. If an application requires 50Ω termination, pass-through terminators like PAC-01 are available.

Twisted Pair Mixed Signal Connections

In addition to the BNC connected analog inputs, MP01 provides connections for BitScope Micro's six logic inputs and waveform and clock generator outputs.

This is done via the integrated 16-pin header between the BNC sockets.

Every input and output has an associated ground pin located directly below it which allows the use of twisted pairs for low noise connection to circuits under test, especially working at the very low levels supported by BitScope Micro's Macro Mode.

This means it's possible to capture up to 8 logic channels at once where two channels can be set to switch at an adjustable level which is ideal for unusual logic families or specialised signal standards (e.g. bipolar or negative voltage logic).

Flexible Signal Routing

Colour coded shorting plugs are supplied which allow up to two unused inputs to be shorted for ground reference. In the case of the analog inputs it also prevents noise or crosstalk from unconnected inputs. The shorting plugs may also be used to route the waveform generator output to the CHB BNC socket and the built-in clock generator to CHA.

The keycard shows how this is done.

Using the shorting plugs the CHA BNC connector can be connected to ground, CLK/L5 or L3 and CHB BNC connector connected to ground, AWG/L4 or L0.

In addition to grounding, waveform and clock outputs, connecting either analog input to an adjacent logic channel reduces the input impedance of the analog input from 1MΩ to 100kΩ which in can be very handy if the lower input impedance is required.

The fully programmable signal control provided by the BitScope Micro Diagnostic Port is available via MP01. For example the four logic channels can be set as active low pull-downs to configure a connected circuit for up to 16 states of operation.

MP01 (100:1)

MP01 (10:1)

BS05 (1:1)

110V

11V

1.1V

350V

35V

3.5V

520V

52V

5.2V

1kV

110V

11V

Supports Wide Range of Voltages

This table enumerates full scale voltage ranges available with MP01 when used with BitScope Micro and a 1:1, 10:1 and 100:1 probe.

It shows the maximum peak-to-peak signal that can be captured at full resolution with (8 bits in normal mode and up to 12 bits in macro mode).

With BitScope DSO this is simply a matter of right-clicking the probe scale widget and choosing the right scale. In the example shown here, a probe scaling of 2:1 has already been chosen but the prescaler (1:5) is about to be selected instead.

Many scaling options are available to support the wide range of oscilloscope probes available because all of them can be used with BitScope Micro and MP01.

Bench, Lab or Rack Mount

Coming soon are some mounting and case design ideas for MP01. The BNC sockets are supplied with ring nuts and washers so MP01 can be permanently mounted (with appropriate metalwork) and BitScope Micro plugged in as and when required.